ANTSTORE World of Ants

[Senex]

Hi,

I thought that the queen would build its nest in the ground, digging or doing something like that, but my queem is on the surface and it doesn't seem to be making its hole.
Is it normal? Is the ground a bad ground?
What can I do?

Thanks....
Senex

[JimmyVe]

Hi Senex,
yes you can try that,
and if that doesn't work check out if the sand is not to hard or to dry so that she can't dig herself in.

[Cephalothorax]

Hi Senex,

it also depends what species the queen is off. A Lasius sp.-queen for example doesn´t move so fast, after laying the first eggs. When cathing it shortly after the nuptial flight, it´ll definetly dig. Myrmica sp. for example is a lot more active even it laid eggs before.
The reason:
Lasius sp. are founding claustral (alone in a little hole without coming out to eat)
Myrmica sp. are mostly founding semi-claustral (they have to come out, to look for some food!)